Page 39 of Protecting Clove
Remi put her hand on her shoulder to stop her. “Let’s turn off the light first.”
“Yes. You’re right.”
She flipped off the light and waited a moment before going to the door and raising one slat of the blinds covering the window at the top of the door. At first, she saw nothing. Then she spied movement. Someone had come into Bud’s backyard. She jerked back, fear sliding through her.
“Someone is out there.”
“Who?” Remi whispered.
“I don’t know.”
“Would you go check on Neo and make sure she stays safe?”
“Are you sure? I could stay down here.”
Clove shook her head. “No. I need to know there is someone between me and Neo. Call the police, but I don’t think they will be responding right now. There’s too much going on with the weather.”
Remi put her hand on Clove’s shoulder. “I won’t let anyone get up there.”
“Thank you.”
Remi disappeared into the den, and Clove grabbed a knife, ready to defend herself. She stood back from the door, waiting to see what would happen. A minute passed, then another. Maybe nothing would happen, but fear told her to stay vigilant.
After another minute, she heard something rattle the back door. She wanted to scream at them and tell them to leave, but she didn’t want them to know she was in the kitchen alone.
Who was it? Could it be Keith? Had he found her?
It couldn’t be. It wouldn’t be Keith. There was no way he found them. Or had he? She’d been going to the library, going to the store, doing a few other things, but trying to stay hidden.
The door handle rattled again, and she stepped back. He couldn’t get in. She knew that he couldn’t but worry filled her. She wished she had one of Bud’s guns. Moreover, she wished Bud was here.
She was about to flip on the light when a loud bang happened. She let out a scream before she covered her mouth with her free hand. The knife in her other hand shook. There was no way she could defend herself.
Another loud bang happened, and Remi called down to her. “Are you okay?”
She turned so she wasn’t yelling toward the door, about to answer, when the door flew open behind her.
She screamed, turning to see a figure standing in the open doorway. The knife clattered out of her hand and onto the floor. The guy stepped closer, and she tried to back away.
“You can’t outrun me.”
The sound of Keith’s voice sent a chill through her. “Leave us alone.”
“I need money. I made a deal with a guy for you.”
“Don’t hurt Neo.”
“I’ll come back for her later. Right now, you get sold to the highest bidder.” Keith closed the distance and grabbed her, pulling her to him.
She screamed, fighting to get free, but he held on and squeezed harder. Then he punched her in the side of the head.
“If you don’t come with me, I’m going upstairs and putting that knife you dropped into Neo’s throat.”
His words made her freeze, and it was easy for him to drag her outside. The rain pelted her, sending cold spikes down herspine. Lightning flashed and thundered cracked. She screamed, and he jerked her harder.
They were closer to the road and probably his vehicle. If she got inside, she would be lost. She had little doubt it would get bad fast.
Clove tried to yank away, but Bud held on. He was behind a car, and she knew he was going to try to get her inside. What she hadn’t expected was him opening the trunk and shoving her in, then slamming the trunk lid hard. She cried out for help and kicked at the lid, but it was already closed.
